Copyright Registration - Literary Works

Copyright is a federal law, which protects authors of “original works of authorship fixed in a tangible form of expression.” This protection gives the authors the exclusive rights (including authorization of others) with regard to their original works.

Copyright registration is an official process to make a permanent public record of your copyright claim. Copyright registration is not required to maintain your copyright ownership or rights; however, it does provide certain additional advantages. This form is for non-dramatic, literary works. Literary works may be published or unpublished and include nondramatic textual works with or without illustrations. Literary works include: fiction, nonfiction, manuscripts, reports, poetry, reports, theses, brochusres, pamphlets, online works, games, automated databases, computer programs and others.

Plays, dramas, and screenplays are not in the literary works category. They fall in the Performing Arts category.

To use this packet you must meet the following requirements: (i) the work to be registered is an original, nondramatic literary work; (ii) you are the author of the work; (iii) the work was not made for hire; (iv) the work is not a serial or periodical

This packet contains: (i) Information about Copyright Protection; (ii) Instructions for the Registration; and (iii) the Registration Form for Non-Dramatic Literary Works.